Santa Clara County receives positive news on imported water allocations

May 20, 2026

An aerial view shows high water conditions at Lime Saddle Marina located at Lake Oroville in Butte County, California on May 6, 2025. On this date, the water storage was 3,355,264 acre-feet (AF), 98% of the total capacity. Photo courtesy of Andrew Nixon / California Department of Water Resources.

Valley Water recently received good news about water supplies for Santa Clara County this year, with more water expected from both the State Water Project and the Central Valley Project. This will help improve the area’s water supply.

Imported water, which mainly comes from Sierra Nevada snowmelt and rainfall, typically provides about half of Santa Clara County’s water supply. Valley Water gets this water through contracts with the California Department of Water Resources’ State Water Project and the federal Bureau of Reclamation’s Central Valley Project.

On May 19, 2026, the Bureau of Reclamation increased the Central Valley Project allocations south of the Delta to 75% for municipal and industrial use and 25% for agricultural use. For Valley Water, that allocation represents about 104,000 acre-feet of water.

Additionally, on May 15, 2026, the California Department of Water Resources increased the State Water Project allocation from 30% to 45% of requested supplies. For Valley Water, this means about 45,000 acre-feet of water this year.

The Department of Water Resources notes that although California experienced record heat and early snowmelt in March, April storms generated additional runoff that helped replenish supplies while meeting environmental requirements. Lake Oroville, the largest reservoir in the State Water Project, was at 99% capacity in mid-May, with reservoirs statewide at 117% of average for this time of year.

Imported water is one part of Valley Water’s diverse water supply portfolio, which also includes local reservoirs, recycled water and groundwater recharge. As climate change continues to affect water reliability, Valley Water is evaluating additional water supply and storage projects through its Water Supply Master Plan to help ensure a reliable, clean water supply for future generations.

Valley Water manages an integrated water resources system that includes the supply of clean, safe water, flood protection and stewardship of streams on behalf of Santa Clara County's 2 million residents. Valley Water effectively manages 10 dams and surface water reservoirs, three water treatment plants, an advanced recycled water purification center, a state-of-the-art water quality laboratory, nearly 280 acres of groundwater recharge ponds and 350 miles of waterways. We provide wholesale water and groundwater management services to local municipalities and private water retailers who deliver drinking water directly to homes and businesses in Santa Clara County.